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In August this year, Visa International conducted extensive research into UAE customers' attitudes to contactless credit cards. Now Money can exclusively reveal the results.

Background

The research took place using nine focus group discussions and mock card placements with selected participants to find out how they would use the card in their daily lives.

Who took part?

Visa's aim was to include as broad a spectrum as possible of potential contactless card users in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Its focus groups included three main groups: unmarried students aged from 18 to 22 years old; unmarried working people aged between 24 and 27 years old; and married and working consumers aged 35 to 45 years old. The nationalities of those who took part were local Arabs, expat Arabs and Asians.

Users of both Visa and competitor cards took part in the survey which also took into account both debit and credit card users.

Key findings

The survey identified key concerns and questions consumers had regarding contactless card technology wherein security concerns were among the most prominent. Questions regarding security included: Is there any customer authentication required for contactless cards in case of loss or theft?; can the cashier misuse the card - (ie) to make multiple transactions?; what does the customer do if the card is lost or stolen?.

Acceptability

Regarding acceptability of the card questions included: would it be accepted everywhere?; Even in places like small groceries, food courts etc?.

Unfamiliarity

Participants of the focus groups expressed some reluctance to use such unfamiliar technology. Some of those that took part said they would wait to see how the technology worked in practice before they would adopt it.

Anticipated cost

Some of those that took part assumed that the costs of having a contactless card would be similar to a normal credit card with similar fees and interest rates.

Technical concerns

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